Westrow Harrogate’s futuristic facelift

Beauty’s most definitely on the inside as the Westrow Harrogate salon enjoys a £150,000 facelift

With a seven-strong salon group across Yorkshire, keeping one-step ahead of the trends has been pivotal to Westrow’s success. And with the recent and stunning transformation of its Harrogate salon, the brand is proving its dedication to style and service is second to none.

Westrow has been on Station Parade in Harrogate since 1999, with a salon that has appealed to discerning a Harrogate’s clientele.

Taking inspiration from illusion and light, the design of the salon had to meet the exacting standards of Franchisee, Simone Spencer, with a bright and beautiful décor that is both modern and fresh.

Every item (barring the magazine stands) was crafted bespoke to the salon, courtesy of Stephen Neall interiors, the original shopfitters when the salon opened 12 years ago. With only a two-week window for transformation, time was tight, and the Harrogate team decamped to Westrow Wetherby to tend to the tresses of their clientele there, while the Stephen Neall transformation team set about working their magic – with stunning results.

A sensory journey, clients are greeted at the glass reception desk before being guided to the privacy of the luxurious backwash area. Separated from the salon with a frosted glass panel (which took ten men to install), remote-controlled lighting utilises a variation of relaxing colours to set the tone. A no-talking policy in this area also ensures a calm, serene environment, allowing clients to unwind before they head to their salon service and the buzz of the salon outside. Here, an abundance of mirrors add depth and enhance the space and open, relaxing feel of the salon.

The salon has incorporated the use of strip lighting down either side of the cutting positions, which offers clarity to both staff and clients.

Simone Spencer said:

We wanted a sharp salon that not only looked good, but that worked on every level

The materials we utilized, such as DuPont, Corian, Amtico and Slate, are the best on the market, while the lighting, which we sourced from Italy, ensures a perfect, even light. There are also small spotlights in the centre that gently diffuse soft lighting, which mean haircuts look sharper than ever.

The feedback has been great and at night, when people drive past, it’s a beacon of light. Hopefully this design will form a blueprint for other Westrow salons, and work well against the company’s new vision and branding.